How we all pay the price for soft justice

WITH violent crime up 19 per cent last year and four youths stabbed to death in London on New Year’s Eve alone, there is a growing fear of lawlessness on our streets and a troubling feeling that the police – obsessed with trendy causes such as internet hate crime and historical sex abuse – are surrendering control.

Beat bobbies are fast becoming a thing of the past, burglary and criminal damage are investigated only where a conviction is almost certain, shoplifting and small thefts are largely ignored and victims are urged to report crimes online, rather than dial 999.

Even when criminals are caught, our soft justice system gives them a cushy ride. We report today how one force treats young offenders as victims rather than criminals and interviews them at home instead of dragging the poor dears off to the station.

And in prisons, inmates are allowed in- cell fridges, ‘soft’ pillows, laptops and phones. Whatever happened to deterrent?

If offenders are not properly punished – especially at the beginning of their criminal career – many will inevitably go on to commit more serious crimes. Yes, the justice system must be humane. But it must also provide retribution.

By being too lenient, the police and prison system store up trouble for the future – and it’s the public who pay the price.